The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-05
RETURN TO THE OLD PLAN.
THE MARINE HOSPITAL LIKELY
To BE ABANDONED,
Because OF Decreasing Necessity for
Its Extstence-PAtrOns for
the City Hospital.

The report of probable sale of the
Marine Hospital, on account of its
menac d safety, was somewhat over
dra .n, but the institution may yet be
abandoned by the glvernment. A re-
port met DIR. d. T. Armstrong, the
surgeon in charge, and called his at
tentlon to the pu olished sta emeuts.
81 cav Them" replied the Doctor,
"but they are aims wholly incor
rect"
"Wss there a government inspec'o or
here for the purpose OF examining the
G ouHds, and was his visit the result OF
Information that their safety was
threatened ?"
There was an inspector here a few
days ago, end he may bavs come on
that account, but don't think he re.
ported in favor of selling the present
8 to on account of inroads by the
waters Of the Mississippi. If he had,
should certainly have recommended
otherwise"
"You consider the grounds and
buildings perfectly SAFE, then ?"
"For several years, yes. The north
end of the grounds is badly disfgured
by gullies caus d by heavy rainp, and
unless checked the caving will ulti-
ma,ely reach and undermine the
buildings. To guard against further
entertainments 1t will be necest ary 10
expeLd about $50, 900. This is little
more than the government cares t.
expend in that d rectiou, as they have
already put SIS, 600 in the il stitution.'
Would 1t not be the wis.r pan to
spend $50, 900 to save the SIS, 900 than
to lose it entirely?"
"If that were the only view, yes
but there is another. The buildipgt
If the present hospital cost abo1t $50,
900, and could bs duplicated for tina
amount. A suitable tract OF ground
can be bought for $4,000, making {
total Of $4,000, thus saving $40 O0(
and enabling US to choose a better
site." rnh
"Then it is probable that the presen
site and buildings will be abandoned
then, is it not? 2"
"Perhaps 80, aud it is further proba
BILE that a separate institution for thu
government will be given up entirely
Since was stationed here, fur year
ago, river travel has, l believe, do
creased at least so per cent, and q
this decreases it reduces the Deceesit,
for such institution. You will under
stand this when l tell you that Their
are only three patients under my car,
down there and eight tendaOte Il
look after them. Nevertheless, it cost
something over $500 month to NEE
the running expenses of the hospital
and this is out of all proportion. True
/ treat few patients at my Office il
the Custom House, but not emo Oh t
jus ify the expenditure of such larg
sum-"
| "Wbat, then, is the plan likely t.
be adopted by the government for th,
treatment of its paJIenfs?"
1T ia possible that we will 90 bacl
to the old plan f caring for them il
the City Hospital, paying so nue.
ptr monh for the privilege. TDi
would be a great deal cheaper an
equally as satisfactory in results TO va
tients. II the city will procure fire
clsss institution this plan will MOI
than likely be ed pied"
"How would the present Marin,
H spitol sui the double purpose O
city and gnvernment?"
admir- lbly, and The city ccu'd no
secure a better. The location couit
not be surpassed, and the building
are all new and perfectly eqpil p
With precautions against any futGne
caving, l can see no reason why tb
city SHOULD not take the matter unde
serious consideration. Toe price o
the plant can hardly b serious bar
rier to i'spu cha'e, as the government
ia by no msana Say lock "